Suffolk Jaguar

[greenrat]

What collective wisdom does the forum have on SS? Anyone built either of their kits? What are they like to deal with? Any info, experience or opinion gratefully received.

[greenrat]

Yes, I hear good things too. I've been planning an XKSS replica build, but my wife has latched onto the SS100 as being a tad more roadable and thus likely to get used more. Trust a woman to get all practical, but it has got me thinking....and that never ends well.

[greenrat]

Flatinfourth said:

...This makes the C type more affordable as you can have a nice space frame resonably close to the original, and the live axle on links too, just with a glass fibre body, which is just fine as it doesn't dent every time you flick up a pebble.

I know what you mean. I have looked at both the Realm and the Suffolk Jaguar C types. Both have space frames and the Suffolk beastie even retains the live axle, allegedly making it drive much like the original. But while both would be more cost effective than either of my original choices, the C just doesn't light my fire. It must be my aging eyesight or early onset senility....

[greenrat]

I went down to Suffolk last week and met Roger and his wee beasties. Exceedingly impressed! Roger was very pleasant; he gave myself, my wife and son a test drive and didn't scream even when I overshot a turn on the return leg. The car was sweet - a surprisingly good drive, taken straight from the XJ6 donor. It was cosy with two up but my 6'2", 17 stone frame fitted fine, although I found the pedals very tight in my inappropriate shoes. The quality of both steel and fibreglass components looks top notch. Most importantly, it seems to have got the thumbs up from she-who-holds-the-purse-strings. My son hasn't stopped grinning yet.

[greenrat]

julian64 said:

greenrat said:

but my 6'2", 17 stone frame fitted fine,

Have you tried an XKSS. I will suggest you might struggle at that size.

I'm 6ft and a lot less than 17 stone and the XKSS fits like a fairly tight glove.

For instance any reversing or changing gear requires use of the horn to make room for my knees.

Let alone how you'd fit three people in.

I can tell you from having driven both that they are chalk and cheese in terms of driving. A sopwith pup and a submarine would be a closer comparison

Your point is well taken, Julian, and I have reluctantly conceded that I need more elbow (and belly) room. Also having whiled away a couple of years pondering the whole subject of replicas, I've concluded that as I wouldn't ever be able to do either of the originals justice, what's the point of trying.

So, contrary to all my previous musings, I am delighted to say that I have in fact ordered, and am about to take delivery of, a beautiful Ronart W152 S6 in kit form. This will give me the "spirit" of the early sixties, in a body that is essentially the same size as an XJ6, without the restrictions of conforming to a predetermined format.

So I am currently up to my elbows in engine parts as I remodel the heart and running gear of an XJ6 S3 4.2 into something worthy of a new body. Triple Jenvey Heritage throttle bodies are inbound, so it should look the business AND be suitably rapid (if I don't stuff up the fettling).

2018 looks as if it will be interesting. Wish me luck!